Leonidas
Leonidas is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Son of a lion or lion-like.
Origin and history
Leonidas is a name of Ancient Greek origin, derived from components meaning lion and son of or resembling. Historically associated with King Leonidas I of Sparta, who led the Greek forces at the Battle of Thermopylae, the name has seen a modern resurgence in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
10,281 babies in the United States have been named Leonidas since 1880. It ranks #1180 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #459.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16 %)
- TX (12.4 %)
- FL (7.4 %)
- NY (7 %)
- IL (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 22 |
| 1890-1900 | 26 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 128 |
| 1920-1930 | 180 |
| 1930-1940 | 108 |
| 1940-1950 | 71 |
| 1950-1960 | 83 |
| 1960-1970 | 112 |
| 1970-1980 | 134 |
| 1980-1990 | 142 |
| 1990-2000 | 135 |
| 2000-2010 | 733 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,479 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,923 |
Famous people named Leonidas
- Leonidas da Silva: Athlete, Footballer
- Leonidas Polk: Bishop, Military Officer
Nicknames
Leo
Fun facts
- Leonidas I was the famous Spartan king who famously defended the pass of Thermopylae against the Persian army in 480 BCE.
- The name combines 'leon' (lion) with the patronymic suffix '-ides', translating to 'son of a lion'.